I came across this recently and was struck by its feeling of absolute darkness allied to a strength and belief that the New Zealander’s have displayed to the world following the tragedy in Christchurch.
lament to the yesterday of New Zealand, Aotearoa, the land of the long white cloud
by In mind and Out
I am a New Zealander, I was always so proud of the peace and refuge I thought was my country.
For all of us, that was yesterday… the darkest day in our history, before our collective hearts were broken and after which things will never be the same.
I took this photo today, it’s beauty is a stark contrast to the realities of the darkness felt by us all.
This poem is a lament of the atrocities and the 49 people who lost their lives in the atrocity in Christchurch yesterday.
Kia Kaha and Arohanui to each and every person of this country, especially those killed, hurt and traumatized, yesterday.
My heart aches so much….
…
We thought this land
Of long white clouds,
Whakawhanuanga, Aroha
Connectedness, love
Was peace and refuge
Haeri Mai – welcome all
Within our kiwi smile.
But someone, somehow
The world tilted,
Leaving
Broken shivers of glass
That sliced a heart –
And morphed a mind
With broken lenses
Of hate-filled illusions
Black and white delusions,
Extremes in the mist.
Our landscape is now tainted
By blood
Hatred lurking
In caves of beauty.
A terrifying kaleidoscope
Of severed souls
Of hate and difference
Of messages delivered with
Machine guns.
How I wish i noticed
Made that damaged heart
See care and kindness
Reflect sameness
So jagged edges of hate
Did not pierce the heart and hope
Of this country
….
Yesterday, the sun was bright
But today is darkness.
